Spelman vs. Fisher

Comparable Facts

Compare Spelman College in Atlanta, GA with St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. John Fisher University is larger than Spelman based on total student enrollment (3,693 students vs. 3,417 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Spelman College is located in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting); St. John Fisher University is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John Fisher University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Spelman College 11:1; St. John Fisher University 11:1.

Spelman vs. Fisher Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Spelman or Fisher? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at St. John Fisher University than Spelman ($30,540 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. John Fisher University are 17.6% lower than at Spelman College ($14,908 vs. $18,091).
• St. John Fisher University is 30.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $9,634 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.5% higher at Fisher than at Spelman College (about $9,634 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. John Fisher University than at Spelman College (100% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by St. John Fisher University students is 131.1% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($24,530 vs. $10,614).

Spelman vs. Fisher Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Spelman or Fisher? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Fisher and Spelman.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Spelman College (1210) is the same as at Fisher (1210).
• Incoming Spelman students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at Fisher (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Spelman College 1108/1320; St. John Fisher University 1120/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Spelman College 22/29; St. John Fisher University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Spelman - Test optional; Fisher - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Spelman Feb 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Spelman students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at Fisher (3.53).
• Fisher has a higher acceptance rate (66.4%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.6% at Spelman vs. 20.3% at Fisher.

Spelman vs. Fisher Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Spelman and Fisher? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than St. John Fisher University's (73%).
• Graduates from Spelman College earn a median of about $500 more per year than Fisher graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,300 vs. $50,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John Fisher University graduates have a $3,100 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($23,900 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fisher graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($247 vs. $279).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.